An Abuja-based lawyer and his son have been quizzed by
security agents in Maiduguri in connection with alleged link with the Islamist
sect, Boko Haram.
The popular lawyer was originally
based in the Borno State capital until the insurgency launched by the sect and
the subsequent military operations to restore order forced him to relocate to
the Federal Capital.
The lawyer and his son were said to
have been arrested after a suspected Boko Haram member in security custody
mentioned the son’s name as an accomplice.
The Boko Haram suspect, sources
said, had confessed to the killing of people in the name of the sect.
The suspect claimed to have given money, clothes and a gun after operations to the
lawyer’s son for safe keeping.
Members of the Borno Vigilance
group, otherwise known as ‘Civilian JTF,’ effected the arrest of the first
suspect and after interrogating him stormed the lawyer’s residence to pick up
his son.
The boy who was the sole occupant of
the house, on sighting the vigilance group members, escaped and went to Abuja
to inform his father about the situation.
It was gathered that the lawyer’s
friends and neighbours who got wind of the development advised him to turn in
his son to the authorities.
He accepted the suggestion and went
to Maiduguri with his son.
Unknown to father and son, the
vigilance members were on their trail from the airport and shortly before
arriving in their residence, were intercepted by the vigilance members who beat
them before handing them over to the Joint Task Force (JTF).
The JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir
Musa, could not be reached for comments on the matter but a top security
official who does not want his name in print confirmed the arrest.
He said: “If, after our investigations,
anyone of them is found to be truly involved in Boko Haram activities, rest
assured that the full wrath of the law shall be visited on him.”
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Politics